FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT CREDITS - PAGE 3

NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - Futures contracts for renewable fuel credits listed Monday on the IntercontinentalExchange, but no trades took place, according to a spokeswoman for the exchange. The ICE launched three futures contracts for renewable identification numbers (RINs) in response to increased volatility and surging prices for the credits. Federal law requires refiners and importers to show the credits as proof of compliance with rules requiring the blending of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel into U.S. gasoline and diesel stocks.

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Donations of U.N.-backed carbon credits to help reduce the carbon footprint of the World Cup in Brazil have surpassed the half million mark, the local government said on Thursday. Brazilian companies or local branches of multinationals so far donated 545,500 certified emissions reductions (CERs) in response to a campaign that, in exchange, offered publicity in the tournament's official documents. Tractebel Energia S.A., controlled by GDF Suez, tops the list of donors with 105,000 CERs, followed by chemical giant Solvay Rhodia with 100,000.

BALTIMORE — The White Sox have been more successful on the road than at home this season, but no one has been more dominant away from U.S. Cellular Field than closer Sergio Santos. "I don't think there's one specific thing you can pinpoint and say this is why I'm pitching better on the road," Santos said. "It's kind of the way things have lined up. I'm throwing strikes and getting ahead. " After striking out the only batter he faced Tuesday night, Santos has made 24 consecutive scoreless road appearances since the season started, and 29 straight dating back to 2010.

PITTSBURGH - After setting a single-season National League record with 113 straight games at second base without an error, Darwin Barney set another NL record on Saturday with his 124th game overall without an error, and extended it to 125 on Sunday. Former Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg set the mark over two seasons in 1989-90. "I didn't know that," Barney said of the record. "That's cool. It's nice (the media) didn't bother me so I didn't get nervous. At 113, I was a little nervous.

Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long remembered Dewayne Wise as more than just an exceptional center fielder when he joined the Yankees last spring. "(Long) had seen me play over the years and thought I was a pretty good hitter but had a long swing for a small guy," Wise recalled. Thanks to Long's memory and a suggestion, Wise has returned to the White Sox as a more polished hitter than in his previous stint in 2009. During a batting practice session in the cages at Legends Field in Tampa, Long asked Wise to widen his stance and "sit on my legs.

* Refiners that blend more mitigate ethanol credit costs * Refiners expect narrowed crude discounts to widen By Kristen Hays HOUSTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Some independent U.S. refiners took surging ethanol credit costs on the chin in the second quarter, further squeezing profits already down because of higher crude oil prices. Many refiners buy ethanol credits to comply with cleaner-fuel rules in the United States. Prices for the credits surged during the quarter and could mean higher at gas stations.

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski threw out two basestealers Monday night but deflected much of the credit to his pitchers. That's a mild compliment, considering Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras and Orlando Hernandez don't have the quickest deliveries to home plate. "The [pitchers] have been giving me a chance," Pierzynski said before Tuesday night's game. "[Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle] are great. Freddy can be pretty good when he wants to be. It just comes down to guys giving you a chance.

By Shankar Ramakrishnan NEW YORK, June 10 (IFR) - The US high-grade primary market started the week on a tentative note with four (countable according to IFR criteria) defensive credits taking a conservative pricing approach with trades that raised a total USD1.54bn. The deals ended a three session run of zero supply but failed to fully dispel the cloud of uncertainty over the market amid volatile Treasury rates. The supply comprised three utility names and a regional bank.

Chicago-area U.S. Cellular customers that sign up with Sprint and purchase new smartphones will receive at least $150 in credits, an offer that Sprint officials hope will ease the pain of switching carriers as U.S. Cellular exits the local market. Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint announced Friday that it has closed its $480 million purchase of Chicago-based U.S. Cellular's customers and spectrum in the Chicago, central Illinois and St. Louis markets, along with Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

That touchdown pass Jason Avant muffed last week against the Giants might have been embarrassing, but the Eagles receiver got over his gaffe immediately. Shaking off a dropped ball is nothing compared to what Avant has overcome in his life. The former Carver star grew up wanting to be the next Gangster Disciple, not the next solid NFL receiver. His story was well documented by Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia's Reuben Frank on Thanksgiving . Avant expanded on the issue in an interview with the Tribune before Sunday's game with the Bears at Soldier Field.